1
as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
angrily tore the letter to shreds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearing
Jay King, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
The director was tearing pages out of the script.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
The snacks on offer, though, are worth tearing yourself away from the sights.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Star defensive end Nick Bosa is out for the year after tearing his ACL in Week 3, but several of their young prospects have stepped up on defense, and second-year Ricky Pearsall is starting to look like a star in the making.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The four-time Pro Bowl selection was on pace for another 1,000-yard season in 2024 with the Texans before tearing his ACL.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
The actress had a hard time slumbering after her week one mistakes, and now she’s expected to do a cartwheel into splits after tearing her hamstring?
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
Compelled to respond, Fusco published her own ruthless analysis of the situation in Hyperallergic, tearing Black’s letter apart point by point.
—Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum released footage Saturday night of himself going through a basketball workout about 4 1/2 months after tearing his Achilles tendon.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
The director was tearing pages out of the script.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
The snacks on offer, though, are worth tearing yourself away from the sights.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Star defensive end Nick Bosa is out for the year after tearing his ACL in Week 3, but several of their young prospects have stepped up on defense, and second-year Ricky Pearsall is starting to look like a star in the making.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The four-time Pro Bowl selection was on pace for another 1,000-yard season in 2024 with the Texans before tearing his ACL.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
The actress had a hard time slumbering after her week one mistakes, and now she’s expected to do a cartwheel into splits after tearing her hamstring?
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
Compelled to respond, Fusco published her own ruthless analysis of the situation in Hyperallergic, tearing Black’s letter apart point by point.
—Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing
Verb
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But don't go ripping out every touch of brass in your kitchen just yet.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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Dancing With the Stars contestant Robert Irwin left judge Carrie Ann Inaba speechless after ripping of his shirt in the middle off his salsa with partner Witney Carson.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, a uniformed officer is seen forcibly grabbing the female passenger’s arm and yanking her towards the aisle.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Stern is one of several high-profile entertainments hosts who have condemned ABC and Disney for yanking Kimmel off the air.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That's why Amazon shoppers are hurrying to grab a soft and fluffy comforter for fall.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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That included blasting through Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins and hurrying Herbert into a third-down red zone throw that came up short and forced a first-half field goal.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Without strangers lunging at her and grabbing her forearm.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By emphasizing the caper aspect and the goofy comedy of all this over the intricate plotting that is a hallmark of Westlake’s novels, Black lowers the stakes of a heist that involves halting a speeding NY subway refuse train and busting into a supposedly impenetrable Brooklyn vault.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
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Number of the day 167 mph That’s how fast an American Airlines plane was speeding down the runway at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday when the pilot had to slam on the brakes after a cargo plane crossed in front of it.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One spring day in Paris many years ago, my wife, Diana, a most penetrating photographer, capable of seeing like no one else, decided, as an experiment, to walk across the city blindfolded.—
Hisham Matar,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Aug. 2024
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Since the war began in Gaza, more than six months ago, the Israeli magazine +972 has published some of the most penetrating reporting on the Israel Defense Forces’ conduct.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2024
Verb
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The two have combined for 594 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns through the Hurricanes’ first four games.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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Hubbard broke out in a major way last season, rushing for 1,195 yards in 2024 with 11 total touchdowns on the year.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearing. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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